As part of an ongoing coding column for Advance for Health Information Professionals, G. John Verhovshek, MA, CPC penned more information gleamed from the 2011 AAPC Salary Survey. “Wages continue to rise and opportunities to expand for certified medical coders, with the greatest rewards going to those who invest the most in their education and professional development,” he stated.

He also added that “employers who hire skilled professional coders are making a wise investment.” Many of the survey respondents believe that they are saving their employer a lot of money because of the skills the coders have acquired recently. With ICD-10 looming, this likely will continue to increase as more professionals add to their growing list of abilities.